Growing Up Online

Even though I live inside an online world the Frontline video, Growing Up Online, shocked me. In fact, it even scared me a little bit. Even in the introduction several teenagers admitted that they could do whatever they wanted online because it was a "different world". Their parents don't have to see their online identity and online they can be whoever they want to be. One girl admitted that when she was 14 she posted pictures of herself looking like she was 18. Isn't this an invitation for predators? The video also showed other ways the web can be dangerous. There was an example of a girl who used the Internet to give her "tips on anorexia". This portion of the video really stuck with me because it was such an extreme example of the dangerous things that can be found on the Internet. There was also a portion of the video that focused on a boy who committed suicide due to online bullying. I have heard of other stories like this and I find it terrifying that the web can be such a powerful place that it could cause someone to commit suicide.

On the other end of the spectrum, the video focused on using technology and Internet in the classroom. Since students are growing up in front of computer screens it is extremely important that we, as educators, make sure we can give students the same focus they get when sitting in front of their computer. Do I think that means we should have computers,computer activities, and online discussions in every classroom? No. To me, the video focused on the two very different classrooms. The male teacher had all students replying to questions on computers and was then posting them on a large board at the front of the class. The woman teacher who had been teaching for 30 years, didn't use technology much at all in her classroom. I think there are advantages and disadvantages to both of these classrooms. One disadvantage to the extremely tech savy classroom is that the students may not get the social interaction and classroom discussion that is essential. On the other hand, the disadvantage to the classroom without technology is that students will be bored! After all, they grew up with computers and technology.

In my future classroom, I hope to find a happy medium. I think using technology in the classroom is essential to today's generation of students. In order to keep students focused, technology is necessary. On the other hand, I think it is important to keep in mind that not all activities need to be computer or technology related. I hope to use activities both with and without technology that will keep my students interested, focused, and learning.